Graphical Tool for Defining a Set of Ranges

1. A method of graphically presenting information to a user, the method comprising: displaying on a display device a graphical element representing a spectrum of values; displaying on a display device a first marker, wherein the first marker represents a beginning of a first range of values within the spectrum of values; displaying on a display device a second marker, wherein the second marker represents an end of the first range of values and a beginning of a second range of values within the spectrum of values; displaying on a display device a third marker, wherein the third marker represents an end of the second range of values within the spectrum of values; displaying on a display device a first interval representing the first range of values bounded by the first and second markers; displaying on a display device a second interval representing the second range of values bounded by the second and third markers; graphically indicating within the first marker whether a first value represented by a position of the first marker is part of the first range of values or is outside of the first range of values; graphically indicating within the second marker whether a second value represented by a position of the second marker is part of only the first range of values, part of only the second range of values, part of both ranges of values or excluded from both ranges of values; graphically indicating within the third marker whether a third value represented by a position of the third marker is part of the second range of values or is outside of the second range of values; receiving, from a user, a first input setting the position of the first marker, thereby setting the first value; receiving, from a user, a second input setting the position of the second marker, thereby setting the second value; receiving, from a user, a third input setting the position of the third marker, thereby setting the third value; receiving, from a user, a fourth input specifying a behavior of the first marker, the behavior of the first marker defining whether the first value represented by the position of the first marker is part of the first range of values or is outside of the first range of values; representing the fourth input graphically within the first marker; receiving, from a user, a fifth input specifying a behavior of the second marker, the behavior of the second marker defining whether the second value represented by the position of the second marker is part of only the first range of values, part of only the second range of values, part of both ranges of values, or part of neither ranges of values; representing the fifth input graphically within the second marker; receiving, from a user, a sixth input specifying a behavior of the third marker, the behavior of the third marker defining whether the third value represented by the position of the third marker is part of the second range of values or is outside of the second range of values; representing the sixth input graphically within the third marker; providing, as input to a software application, the first range of values, as defined by the positions and behaviors of the first and second markers, and the second range of values, as defined by the positions and behaviors of the second and third markers.

2. A method as recited by claim 1 , further comprising: providing an interface element for the user to define a first business rule that applies to at least one of the first range of values or second range of values.

3. A method as recited by claim 1 , wherein receiving the fifth input comprises: displaying for the user a menu; and receiving from the user a selection from the menu.

4. A method as recited by claim 1 , further comprising: adjusting a displayed position of at least one of the markers in response to receiving the at least one of the inputs.

5. A system comprising: a processor; and a memory coupled with and readable by the processor and storing therein a set of instructions which, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to graphically present information to a user by: displaying on a display device a graphical element representing a spectrum of values; displaying on a display device a first marker, wherein the first marker represents a beginning of a first range of values within the spectrum of values; displaying on a display device a second marker, wherein the second marker represents an end of the first range of values and a beginning of a second range of values within the spectrum of values; displaying on a display device a third marker, wherein the third marker represents an end of the second range of values within the spectrum of values; displaying on a display device a first interval representing the first range of values bounded by the first and second markers; displaying on a display device a second interval representing the second range of values bounded by the second and third markers; graphically indicating within the first marker whether a first value represented by a position of the first marker is part of the first range of values or is outside of the first range of values; graphically indicating within the second marker whether a second value represented by a position of the second marker is part of only the first range of values, part of only the second range of values, part of both ranges of values or excluded from both ranges of values; graphically indicating within the third marker whether a third value represented by a position of the third marker is part of the second range of values or is outside of the second range of values; receiving, from a user, a first input setting the position of the first marker, thereby setting the first value; receiving, from a user, a second input setting the position of the second marker, thereby setting the second value; receiving, from a user, a third input setting the position of the third marker, thereby setting the third value; receiving, from a user, a fourth input specifying a behavior of the first marker, the behavior of the first marker defining whether the first value represented by the position of the first marker is part of the first range of values or is outside of the first range of values; representing the fourth input graphically within the first marker; receiving, from a user, a fifth input specifying a behavior of the second marker, the behavior of the second marker defining whether the second value represented by the position of the second marker is part of only the first range of values, part of only the second range of values, part of both ranges of values, or part of neither ranges of values; representing the fifth input graphically within the second marker; receiving, from a user, a sixth input specifying a behavior of the third marker, the behavior of the third marker defining whether the third value represented by the position of the third marker is part of the second range of values or is outside of the second range of values; representing the sixth input graphically within the third marker; providing, as input to a software application, the first range of values, as defined by the positions and behaviors of the first and second markers, and the second range of values, as defined by the positions and behaviors of the second and third markers.

6. A system as recited by claim 5 , further comprising: providing an interface element for the user to define a first business rule that applies to at least one of the first range of values or second range of values.

7. A system as recited by claim 5 , wherein receiving the fifth input comprises: displaying for the user a menu; and receiving from the user a selection from the menu.

8. A system as recited by claim 5 , further comprising: adjusting a displayed position of at least one of the markers in response to receiving the at least one of the inputs.

9. A computer-readable memory device comprising a set of instructions stored therein which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to graphically present information to a user by: displaying on a display device a graphical element representing a spectrum of values; displaying on a display device a first marker, wherein the first marker represents a beginning of a first range of values within the spectrum of values; displaying on a display device a second marker, wherein the second marker represents an end of the first range of values and a beginning of a second range of values within the spectrum of values; displaying on a display device a third marker, wherein the third marker represents an end of the second range of values within the spectrum of values; displaying on a display device a first interval representing the first range of values bounded by the first and second markers; displaying on a display device a second interval representing the second range of values bounded by the second and third markers; graphically indicating within the first marker whether a first value represented by a position of the first marker is part of the first range of values or is outside of the first range of values; graphically indicating within the second marker whether a second value represented by a position of the second marker is part of only the first range of values, part of only the second range of values, part of both ranges of values or excluded from both ranges of values; graphically indicating within the third marker whether a third value represented by a position of the third marker is part of the second range of values or is outside of the second range of values; receiving, from a user, a first input setting the position of the first marker, thereby setting the first value; receiving, from a user, a second input setting the position of the second marker, thereby setting the second value; receiving, from a user, a third input setting the position of the third marker, thereby setting the third value; receiving, from a user, a fourth input specifying a behavior of the first marker, the behavior of the first marker defining whether the first value represented by the position of the first marker is part of the first range of values or is outside of the first range of values; representing the fourth input graphically within the first marker; receiving, from a user, a fifth input specifying a behavior of the second marker, the behavior of the second marker defining whether the second value represented by the position of the second marker is part of only the first range of values, part of only the second range of values, part of both ranges of values, or part of neither ranges of values; representing the fifth input graphically within the second marker; receiving, from a user, a sixth input specifying a behavior of the third marker, the behavior of the third marker defining whether the third value represented by the position of the third marker is part of the second range of values or is outside of the second range of values; representing the sixth input graphically within the third marker; providing, as input to a software application, the first range of values, as defined by the positions and behaviors of the first and second markers, and the second range of values, as defined by the positions and behaviors of the second and third markers.

10. A computer-readable memory device as recited by claim 9 , further comprising: providing an interface element for the user to define a first business rule that applies to at least one of the first range of values or second range of values.

11. A computer-readable memory device as recited by claim 9 , wherein receiving the fifth input comprises: displaying for the user a menu; and receiving from the user a selection from the menu.

12. A computer-readable memory device as recited by claim 9 , further comprising: adjusting a displayed position of at least one of the markers in response to receiving the at least one of the inputs.